HOW TO HELP KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE AS THEFTS RISE BY 25 PER CENT

People are being urged to take steps to help protect their dogs as figures showed rocketing numbers of thefts. Dog Theft Awareness Day, which takes place on March 14, marks the beginning of Pet Theft Awareness Week which this year is aiming to raise awareness of the issue.

Whilst the proposed changes in legislation mean that dog-nappers could face tougher punishments for their crimes, new research from Pet Theft Reform shows a concerning 25 per cent year-on-year rise in recorded dog theft offences between 2020-2021. The data, which was provided by police forces through an FOI request by Dr. Daniel Allen, reveals that during the last year more than 1,800 dog theft offences were recorded by police forces in England and Wales.

The pandemic saw a huge increase in dog theft, with 2020 having the highest number of dog theft offences on record (1,550). However, the 2021 figures have succeeded this, reinforcing the need for the Pet Theft Reform and partners working to tackle this issue.

Pet Theft Reform has been campaigning to make pet theft a specific offence for many years, with the support of their coalition partners, Animal Friends Insurance. They also have a host of celebrity supporters including Ricky Gervais, David Walliams, Dermot O’Leary, Deborah Meaden, Jane Fallon and a whole host of pet-loving famous faces.

Commenting on his research, Dr. Daniel Allen, Co-Founder of Pet Theft Reform and Animal Geographer at Keele University said: “Dog theft offences in England and Wales continue to rise. From the 31 of 43 regional police forces in England and Wales who could supply comparable FOI data, there has been a 25 per cent increase in recorded dog theft offences from 2020 to 2021. This may be a combination of increased crimes and/or changes to policing practice. Dr Helen Selby-Fell and I will soon be able to share our findings on the ‘extent and nature of dog theft’ in England and Wales.”

In its investigative documentary, Bring Molly Home, the BBC exposes the devastation of dog theft on its victims and how growing demand during the pandemic drove an increase in this cruel and lucrative crime. One of the key points mentioned in the video was that dog-nappers look for the popular dog breeds, particularly females of puppy-rearing age, whilst owners are walking their dogs.

With this in mind, the experts at Animal Friends have provided some top tips on what to do if you ever fall victim to pet theft:

Report it to the police

You should call 999 if you witness a theft, or call 101 if you suspect your dog has been stolen. The first step to take is to report your stolen or suspected stolen pet to the police, and provide them with as much information as possible, such as distinct markings, their microchip number and the precise location of where the dog went missing or was taken. You must report that your pet is missing to the local animal warden.

Contact your microchipping service

Be sure to contact your pet’s microchipping provider to flag that they are lost or stolen, and ensure that all the information on record is up to date. You should also ring around local vets and rescue centres to see whether any dogs that fit the description have been brought in recently, lost and stray dogs are legally allowed to be rehomed after seven days if the owners aren’t identified, so ensure that you keep chasing these services to ensure that your dog hasn’t been brought in.

Register online and advertise on social media

Social media is a fantastic tool allowing you to reach the masses at the touch of a button, there are many Facebook, Instagram and other social media pages dedicated to reuniting lost and stolen pets with their owners, so engaging with these is a great place to start on your search. You should also register that your dog is missing on Doglost.co.uk, a service which works to reunite lost dogs with their owners.

Check ‘dog for sale’ posts online

If your dog has been stolen, they may be resold or used for breeding purposes. Keep an eye on any advertisements for dogs for sale online, not only in your area but across the country, as thieves and breeders tend to use online platforms to reach people looking for a new dog. If you spot a dog that looks like yours, be sure to get in touch with the police as soon as possible. Do not approach the sellers yourself as this could be dangerous.

Revisit the area you last saw them

Whilst it may be a long shot, posting flyers in the surrounding areas will help raise awareness and alert fellow animal lovers to keep a look out and get in touch if they see a similar looking dog.

“The steps taken by the Government so far to help tackle the growing issue of dog theft are incredibly positive and we’re fully supportive of the proposed changes to make it a new criminal offence. However, we must continue to push for cats to be included,” explained Wes Pearson, CEO of Animal Friends Insurance.

“Cats play an equally important role as dogs in our families and lives, so why are they being excluded from the protections the new dog abduction offence would bring? Not only is the data showing an increase in dogs being stolen across the country, cat abduction has also significantly increased, with the data due to be released shortly. We urge the Government to rethink the proposed changes and ensure that our feline family members are given the same securities as their canine counterparts.